Organizations/Affiliations for IT Exec

I'm quite sure there is not just one answer to this question. When I think of executive management, I think of three key talents: the ability to manage finances, the ability to provide leadership based on a useful set of values, and the ability toeither create a vision or execute on that vision.

It would seem to me that with regard to those three talents there are two challenges: first, to develop the talents and second, to develop relationships with people that have the ability to bring those talents into an executive position.

If that were the path I had chosen, I would look neither for an organization nor an affiliation but rather a respected mentor or sponsor within my target industry. A mentor can help with both challenges in ways that a simple membership cannot.

paul

THe best organizations and affiliations are the ones that you create for yourself. Your best bet is to make sure that you have the skills to manage large projects and lead large groups of people. There are some classes and courses on these subjects, but you need to successively push yourself into these roles. Where can you get this hands-on experieince? Not necessarily in the business world but, try civic groups, local organizations (ACM, Kiwanis, AMA, etc.), and non-profit groups. They are usually always looking for leadership and this will be a good way to get you feet wet and get some experieince. More importantly, it will get you out meeting people ("Networking") and give you a chance to find people that may not be competing for that next promotion, but may have already travelled the road and shoudl be able to give you some good advice and insight.

In short, it is what you make of it. Get involved, take chances, make mistakes, and learn from them.